Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies
If you love the perfect marriage of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, then our Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies recipe is your new go-to treat. These decadent cookies boast a chewy, fudgy brownie exterior with a surprise gooey peanut butter center that keeps you reaching for more. Easy to make and irresistibly delicious, these cookies bring together the best of both worlds, making every bite a delightful experience for friends, family, or just your sweet tooth craving.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Chewy and Soft Texture: These cookies have the ideal fudgy brownie consistency that melts in your mouth.
- Gooey Peanut Butter Surprise: A creamy peanut butter center adds a delightful contrast to the chocolate cookie shell.
- Simple Ingredients: No fancy pantry staples — just everyday ingredients easily found in your kitchen.
- Perfectly Balanced Sweetness: The rich chocolate and salty peanut butter create a harmonious flavor combination.
- Great for Sharing: These cookies are a crowd-pleaser at parties, holidays, or any casual get-together.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies recipe calls for a handful of essential ingredients that work together to create the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Each component plays a specific role, from enhancing the chocolate richness to adding the creamy center that steals the show.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for chewy yet soft cookies.
- Cocoa Powder: Delivers deep chocolate flavor and a classic brownie taste.
- Baking Powder: Helps the cookies rise slightly for that tender bite.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all flavors.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture for a fudgy texture.
- Sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps with that chewy crust.
- Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a touch of caramel flavor.
- Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to a tender crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: Brightens chocolate flavor with a warm aromatic touch.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy filling that adds irresistible saltiness and creaminess.
- Powdered Sugar: Mixed into peanut butter for a smooth, sweet filling.
Variations for Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies
Get creative with this versatile Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies recipe by tweaking flavors and ingredients to suit your cravings or dietary needs. Enjoy how easily these treats adapt without losing their fabulous character.
- Nut-Free Option: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter for an allergy-friendly version.
- Nutty Crunch: Add chopped roasted peanuts inside the peanut butter filling for extra texture.
- Salted Caramel Twist: Drizzle caramel sauce on top or mix a spoonful into the peanut butter filling.
- Dark Chocolate Upgrade: Use bittersweet cocoa powder or add chocolate chips to intensify chocolaty goodness.
- Vegan Adaptation: Substitute butter with coconut oil and use flax eggs to keep the cookies dairy and egg-free.
How to Make Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Start by whisking together all dry ingredients — all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt — in one bowl. In another, beat softened unsalted butter with granulated and brown sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract, then gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a smooth dough forms.
Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Filling
Combine creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar in a small bowl and mix until smooth and fluffy. This filling will be the delicious surprise inside your brownie cookies.
Step 3: Assemble Cookies
Take a tablespoon of brownie dough and flatten it in your palm, then place about a teaspoon of the peanut butter mixture in the center. Carefully wrap the dough around the filling, sealing it completely, and shape into a ball. Place each cookie on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between them.
Step 4: Bake
Bake the cookies at 350°F (175°C) for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges look set but the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked for that chewy texture.
Step 5: Cool and Enjoy
Allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps the gooey centers settle perfectly.
Pro Tips for Making Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies
- Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Softened butter and eggs mix better creating a smooth dough.
- Don’t Overbake: Pull cookies out when edges set to keep the centers molten and chewy.
- Chill Dough if Needed: If dough is too sticky to handle, chill for 20 minutes for easier assembly.
- Seal Filling Well: Prevent leakage by wrapping dough snugly around peanut butter before baking.
- Experiment with Sizes: Make mini or jumbo cookies — check baking times accordingly.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies
Garnishes
Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt or dust with powdered sugar to elevate the look and taste of your cookies. A drizzle of melted chocolate can add a festive touch.
Side Dishes
Serve these rich cookies alongside a cold glass of milk, a cup of freshly brewed coffee, or creamy vanilla ice cream to balance the intense flavors perfectly.
Creative Ways to Present
Arrange warm cookies on a rustic wooden board with small bowls of peanut butter, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts for a fun DIY dessert party. Wrapping them individually in parchment paper tied with twine makes adorable gift ideas too.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store the cooled Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days to keep them soft and fresh.
Freezing
Freeze unbaked cookie balls on a baking sheet, then transfer to a zip-lock bag for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2 extra minutes to the baking time. Alternatively, freeze baked cookies wrapped tightly.
Reheating
Warm cookies in a microwave for 10 to 15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for 5 minutes to bring back their gooey deliciousness.
FAQs
Can I substitute the peanut butter with another nut butter?
Yes! Almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter all work well, just keep the consistency creamy for the filling.
What if I want my cookies more cakey than fudgy?
Try adding a bit more flour (about 2 tablespoons) and reduce the butter slightly to create a cakier texture in your brownies cookies.
Is it necessary to chill the dough before baking?
Not required, but chilling can help manage sticky dough and prevent spreading for thicker cookies.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free baking flour blend to substitute regular flour without compromising taste or texture.
How do I prevent the peanut butter filling from leaking?
Ensure you seal the dough completely around the filling and avoid overfilling to keep the peanut butter center intact during baking.
Final Thoughts
The Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies recipe is your ticket to combining two iconic flavors into one irresistible treat that feels homemade and special every time. Whether enjoyed warm out of the oven or saved for later, these cookies will quickly become a cherished favorite in your baking repertoire. So, grab your ingredients and indulge in making these gooey, chocolatey, peanut buttery delights today!
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PrintPeanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies
Peanut Butter Filled Brownie Cookies combine the rich, fudgy texture of chocolate brownies with a creamy, gooey peanut butter center. These chewy cookies are easy to make with simple pantry ingredients and offer a perfectly balanced sweetness, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 20 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Filling
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. In a separate large bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar and brown sugar until creamy. Add eggs one at a time and then vanilla extract. Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until a smooth, fudgy dough forms.
- Make the Peanut Butter Filling: In a small bowl, combine the creamy peanut butter and powdered sugar. Stir until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and well blended to create the gooey filling.
- Assemble Cookies: Take about 1 tablespoon of the brownie dough and flatten it in your palm. Place approximately 1 teaspoon of the peanut butter filling in the center. Carefully wrap the dough around the filling, sealing it completely and shaping it into a ball. Arrange the cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the cookies for 10 to 12 minutes or until the edges are set but the centers remain soft and slightly underbaked for a chewy texture.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This resting time helps the gooey centers settle perfectly.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients for a smooth dough.
- Do not overbake to keep centers molten and chewy.
- If dough is sticky, chill for 20 minutes before assembling.
- Seal the peanut butter filling well to prevent leakage.
- Adjust cookie sizes as desired; adjust baking time accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: peanut butter cookies, brownie cookies, chocolate peanut butter dessert, gooey peanut butter center, fudgy cookies
